Published on September 01, 2005

[BOXING] Thailand’s Poonsawat Kratingdaeng Gym took a step closer to challenging for the World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight title when he won a split decision victory over Panama’s Ricardo Cordoba in their interim title fight at Rajadamnoen Stadium yesterday.

Dubbed the “Junior Tank”, Poonsawat won the bout with a 2-1 split decision and is now eligible to challenge title holder Ukrainian Wladimir Sidorenko for the WBA bantamweight crown.

But Sidorenko had been out of action since picking up a fractured right thumb in June and if he cannot recover in time for the match-up against Poonsawat later this year, the latter will be automatically be crowned the new world champion.

“I’m happy to win this match. But I couldn’t have done it without those who supported me and especially the cheers from the fans. From now on I will work even harder to become the world champion,’’ said the 24-year-old Thai, whose victory came at a cost with bruises and cuts on his face.

After 12 rounds, Japanese judge Takeshi Shimakawa scored the fight 116-113 for Poonsawat, American Luis Rivera had it 111-118 for the Panamanian, and Australian Derek Newham had it 116-114 for the Thai.

Touted as the next big WBA champion after living legend Khaosai Galaxy, who was ringside to support his possible successor yesterday, Poonsawat was not intimidated by his size disadvantage or the longer reach of his opponent and went forward from the start.

The smaller but faster Poonsawat unleashed 2-1 combinations to the body of his opponent while the Panamanian answered with a series of punches to his face.

The noisy crowd were given some real entertainment in round three when the two fighters exchanged punches as Cordoba was pinned in the corner.

Poonsawat stuck to his fight plan, heading for his opponent and not retreating.

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